Acting Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau Pol Maj Gen
Suwat Thamrongsrisakul on September 16-17 presided over a workshop of 500
senior immigration officials, conducted at the Jomtien Palm Beach Hotel and
designed to explore ways of moving the bureau forwards.

Pol Maj Gen Suwat said the purpose of the seminar was to
gather opinions on updating the bureau’s tactics, and that the new working
methods would be adopted from October onwards.

From now on officers will have to work closely in groups and
give their opinions on the correct way of working. They must take into account
what the public wants, and then decide how to implement it and set a definite
timetable.

Reporters asked about foreigners living in Thailand,
especially those in Pattaya, who commit misdemeanors.

Suwat said one of the main problems with some visitors from
Europe and America is that their respective countries do not check their
countrymen prior to letting them leave. Therefore a lot of criminals come to
hide in Pattaya. The Immigration Bureau needs to formulate a strategy to reduce
the number of such people entering the country, deporting wrongdoers and
canceling their visas.

The public he said would see a change in this matter within
six months as the bureau was going to address the matter more closely.

Suwat said that everybody is watching the Immigration Bureau
and at present its strategy is unclear. Their performance needs to improve. It
is critical that they change the organization and they need cooperation from
every single member of staff to do so.

The image of the bureau should be one of a quality service, said Suwat. The
rules and procedures need to be applied correctly and honestly. The public
should see the change in the service within two to three months of October 1.

A fifth company steps forward with water treatment proposal

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Another proposal for a treatment plant that would
convert wastewater into tap water and consequently help reduce Pattaya’s
perennial water woes is currently being considered by city hall.

Dr
Soontorn Boonyatikarn and his team explains how the system works.

Uthai Yaibuated, chairman of Uni San Pol Co Ltd, and Dr
Soontorn Boonyatikarn, a professor of architecture, made the pitch to a
meeting chaired by Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, who has asked the
company to submit more details and a budget evaluation.

Uthai said that Uni San Pol Co is an engineering
consultancy specializing in wastewater processing, and has more than 10
years’ experience in the field.

The system being proposed can be used for both domestic
and industrial wastewater, and Uthai says it is compact, and easy to run
and maintain. His company has undertaken other wastewater projects in
Thailand, including an installation at a Bangpa-In industrial estate and
another at Srinakharindharaviroj University.

Mayor Niran said five companies had so far offered to
install a water treatment system for Pattaya, and a decision has to be
made as a matter of urgency.

Uni San Pol Co has also proposed a windmill system that could be used
to generate electricity on Koh Larn.

Organizers approach city hall for help with Small Buddha Image contest

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Organizers of the Small Buddha Image competition,
cancelled last year because of lack of support, have approached city hall
for funding and help with the venue to ensure that the event will go ahead
this year.

Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn meets with the organisers.

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn on September 6 chaired a
meeting with the Small Image of Buddha Club Pattaya. It has been agreed that
the competition, which is scheduled to take place on October 30, will be
held at the multi-use building at Pattaya 2 School.

Club president Namchai Deevi said the competition, which
was first held five years ago, was called off last year because the previous
year’s event had not been a success. Small Buddha images are admired
throughout Thailand but the competition is not a success when it is held in
Pattaya, he said. Therefore the club was asking the city council to take
over the organization of the event and also to promote it. He said that
competitors would spend around two to three days in the city and boost the
local economy.

Mayor Niran said that the council was interested in helping this event
but added that careful thought needed to be given before allocating
financial support. It is beneficial for Pattaya to hold as many annual
events as possible to compete with other tourist destinations such as Phuket
and Chiang Mai. Aside from budgetary considerations, city hall has allowed
the use Pattaya 2 School’s multi-purpose hall as the competition venue.

Social workers confident of program in spite of many runaways

Narisa
Nitikarn

Half of the children who participated in the Sai Yai Rak
Camp have absconded from care and gone back to their previous lifestyles of
drug abuse and prostitution, or have disappeared completely, according to a
follow-up survey.

Despite
some setbacks the caring workers continue to work to help children.

A meeting to review the effectiveness of the camp
project, the pilot scheme in a proposed rehabilitation program for minors
was held on September 8 at city hall, chaired by Deputy Mayor Wuttisak
Rermkijakarn.

Present were representatives of the Social Welfare
Department, World Vision Foundation of Thailand, the Wandering Child
Project, the Juvenile and Family Court Chonburi, and the Tourist Police.

A total of 30 children had participated in Sai Yai Rak
Camp No 1, of which 15 have since absconded from their shelters. Some, the
meeting heard, have gone back to their previous destructive lifestyles
including drug use and prostitution, and some have disappeared without
trace. Those remaining have however expressed a wish to continue studying
and undergoing occupational training.

The officers involved in the follow-up are encouraging
the children to continue their rehabilitation program and discussing ways
for them to return to society with a more positive disposition. They also
wished to help the children who escaped, as without guidance the youngsters
will be unable to avoid a self-destructive lifestyle.

Wuttisak said the overall result of the camp was positive because the 30
children came from vastly different backgrounds. The officers will help to
guide them but a lot does depend on the children themselves, as they need to
be willing to give up their previous bad habits.

City garbage management is of grave concern, say researchers

Narisa
Nitikarn

An environmental research project carried out by
Thammasart University in cooperation with Pattaya’s Sanitary and
Environmental Department has presented its findings to city hall.

At a meeting with deputy city clerk Apichat Puechphan on
September 6, the group gave details of the research results, identified
problems and suggested solutions in relation to the proposed scheme to
increase green areas in Pattaya City.

Kampol
Nantapol reports on his findings to Pattaya City administrators.

The environmental engineering experts were led by Kampol
Nantapol, who said their studies had shown that one of the main problems was
too much refuse from department stores, hotels and local residents. There is
no accurate method of calculating the city’s true population, and tourists
also contribute directly to the excess garbage problems, he said.

Kampol said the survey had pinpointed the fact that most
of the city’s refuse comes from hotels. Most of the hotel refuse consists
of leftover food, which rapidly decomposes.

This refuse affects the community and is the
responsibility of the city council. In terms of garbage collection and
disposal the city is divided into four sub-districts, namely Naklua,
Nongprue, Nongplalai and some parts of Huay Yai. The research team
couldn’t study all areas in depth because of both a lack of time and
manpower. It is however important to manage the garbage problem effectively
in order to improve the quality of the local environment, said Kampol.

Apart from the refuse problem the group also made a study
of the quality of life in nursing homes, public health centers and hospitals
in the city. The results were satisfactory. Cases of hemorrhagic fever,
diarrhea, food poisoning and tuberculosis are decreasing in number each
year. Nevertheless the standards of food hygiene need to be monitored
closely even if the number of people suffering from diarrhea is decreasing.
“Pattaya is a tourist city, and any problems related to food will have a
detrimental effect on the city’s image to tourists,” said Kampol.

Mrs Wannaporn Chamjamrat, director of health and environment for Pattaya
City, has queried some of the calculations in the documents, which she said
she had received only on the day of the meeting.

Province teaches Mother Hens all about road safety

One hundred teachers from Chonburi
education region 1-3 have undergone training in traffic laws and road safety
so that they can pass on their knowledge to their pupils.

The training was conducted at a seminar held at the Grand
Sole Hotel, presided over by the province’s deputy governor Preecha
Kamolbutr and with instructions being given by officials from the
transportation department, the health and public safety bureau, and police
officers.

Preecha said the number of road users is increasing every
day, with very few taking precautions on safety, either by not wearing safety
helmets or not knowing traffic rules and road etiquette. When arrested, they
are only fined 300-500 baht each time, which in reality is not much of a
deterrent to causing accidents.

With proper information and training the teachers will
help to convey the knowledge and awareness of road safety to their students.
Preecha said this is the third seminar in the series, and that the first two
had proved successful.

Thanomsak Patisena, deputy director of Chonburi
Kindergarten and Phiphob Phongsuchart, transportation officer, told reporters
that there are altogether five sessions for the training, rotating through
the three Chonburi education regions. In addition to training, the province
has published a handbook on road safety to be part of the education
curriculum.

The group of teachers joining the training is called Mother Hen Teachers
because, like a mother hen that lays many eggs at a time, teachers also have
many students who they have to nurture.

Naklua Market set
to move on October 15

Ariyawat
Nuamsawat

The date for moving stallholders from Naklua Market to a
temporary site has been postponed to October 15. Demolition will then begin
on the market building and the construction of new premises.

The old
Naklua Market which is a state of disrepair and needs to be rebuilt from
scratch. (inset) Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn shows a plan of the
construction work to be carried out.

A meeting at city hall last week, chaired by Deputy
Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn, discussed the details of the move. A rental
agreement for the space in front of Siam Nimit Cinema has already been
signed, with the occupancy date beginning on September 1 at a rental of
20,000 baht per month.

A budget for construction of the new building has been
set at 23 million baht, with the completion date due in the middle of next
year. Wuttisak said that the new building had to be completed before the
expiry of the lease on the temporary space.

The temporary area is being marked out in 2m x 1.5m pitch areas with a
total of 454 planned. There is a 1.5m footpath. Wuttisak said that further
announcements would be made regarding the move.

Cop this – police stage song
and dance show at beer bar

A team of policemen putting on a performance
of the traditional Thai Likae song-and-dance drama at a Pattaya beer bar…it
doesn’t sound very likely, does it?

Pattaya’s
finest prove themselves to be Likae stars in their own right.

Nonetheless, a collaboration between Sutthipong Tiayakuk,
owner of a bar on Beach Road Soi 9, and officers from the public relations
team at Pattaya police station, had crowds of Thai and foreign visitors
gathering at the bar on September 7 to enjoy this distinctly unusual event.

Sutthipong said he wanted tourists to experience a Likae performance, which
has been an integral part of Thai culture from the Sukhothai era, and is not
available anywhere else in the world. The actors, who during their normal
working lives spend a lot of time sorting out the less salubrious elements of
Pattaya, were more than happy to devote an evening contributing to the
city’s positive public image, and having a little fun into the bargain.

Police urged to act with full force of law against robbers and muggers

Narisa Nitikarn

Pattaya police have once again been urged to do their duty in
immediately pursuing and arresting wrongdoers in Pattaya, and have been reminded
that their first duty is towards protecting residents and tourists.

City hall on September 9 was the venue for an annual
gathering of officers from Pattaya police station, presided over by station
superintendent Police Colonel Somnuek Changate.

Pol. Col. Somnuk said that youths carry out most of the
robberies and muggings against residents and tourists. One of the black spots is
at Dongtan corner in Jomtien, he said. Most of the victims happen to be
foreigners.

Pattaya police officers during their eight hours of duty must
always act with the full force of the law in immediately pursuing and arresting
wrongdoers urged the superintendent.

Even if the offence appears to be a trivial one, it must be dealt with. For a
larger case a patrol can be called. Whatever the action, the police officers
must take control, said Pol. Col. Somnuk. Better still, he added, vigilance
would lessen the risk of anything happening in the first place.

Pattaya police arrest two Britons for trafficking marijuana

Pattaya Mail/ AP

Pattaya police arrested two Britons in the early hours of
Tuesday morning for possession of marijuana. During the arrest officers also
discovered 160 packs (640 tablets) of the popular impotency drug Cialis.

Martin Ward, 39, and Paul Bangle, 40, were arrested at
Ward’s Soi 17 home with 10 kilograms of marijuana.

Police were in the process of investigating a Thai man
known to sell the marijuana when the made the arrests.

Songkran Suanpaeng, 26 from Trat was caught exiting the
house with four packets of the class 5 drug. Officers arrested him just as
the two foreigners walked out of the house. Upon seeing officers they fled
indoors and were duly followed. Songkran was detained for further
questioning.

Officers searched premises discovering the marijuana
packed inside a second floor wardrobe along with the Cialis. They found a
further 29 packets of marijuana in the car parked outside the house.

Both Ward and Bangle failed to produce passports when
confronted by police but knew Ward has a Thai wife and has been living in
Thailand for many years. Bangle is believed to be a business partner.

The marijuana was wrapped in seaweed and was to be sold
and delivered by mail to customers in North America and Australia.

Ward confessed to purchasing and exporting the Cialis but
denied any involvement or knowledge of the marijuana.

Songkran Suanpaeng, however, said that both men would
supply the money for him to purchase marijuana from a man in Huay Yai and
send the drug through the postal system, using the seaweed to mask the
smell.

All three were charged with possession of marijuana for purposes of
trafficking and face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Brit arrested after escape

English fugitive arrested and deported

Acting on the request of the British
Embassy, Pattaya Immigration Police tracked down Bernard Terence Scullion, a
British national who had fled the United Kingdom and was believed to be in
hiding in Pattaya.

Scullion
in police custody awaiting deportation.

Scullion was arrested on 16 September at an address in
Nongprue district. Police said a Liverpool court had issued an arrest
warrant relating to 16 cases, some of which involved child molesting, and
physical violence and harassment.

Pol Col Ittiphol Ittisarnronnachai, commander of Pattaya
Immigration office said Scullion was working as a boat engine mechanic in
England and had entered Thailand six months ago. He would be deported to
England immediately. Police were unable to answer a question as to how the
fugitive had managed to leave Britain without being apprehended.

Jealous Iranian cook kills wife during row

Boonlua Chatree

An Iranian cook has been charged with battering his wife
to death during an argument in which he accused her of infidelity.

Police along with a physician from Banglamung Hospital
and volunteers from Sawangboriboon Foundation were called out to the scene
of a death at a rented room in Nongprue on September 10.

They found the body of Mrs Nidnoi Mahamad Khan, 27,
wearing a white shirt and jeans and lying across the bed. She had sustained
severe head injuries apparently caused by a weapon. Beside her they found
Iranian national Hamad Kirum Mahamad, 34, lying unconscious with his right
hand holding his wife’s hand. He had head injuries. The officers found a
pestle soaked with blood, a cooking knife and two screwdrivers on the bed.
Hamad was transferred to Banglamung Hospital for treatment.

Hamad has lived in Thailand for about five years. He is a
cook at a Muslim restaurant in South Pattaya, and had been married to Nidnoi
for about three years. His wife worked in a laundry. There have one
four-year old daughter.

Neighbors said the couple had been arguing very noisily.
Apparently the husband was jealous and thought his wife might have another
man. Nobody wanted to intervene in the argument when they heard Nidnoi
shouting. Later on Hamad ran out to knock at the next-door apartment and
told occupant Sutat Srikhoonla that his wife was dead. He then returned to
the room and banged his head against the wall, finally collapsing next to
his wife’s body.

Hamad was not in a critical condition but needed two days’ hospital
treatment. He has been arrested and charged with intentional killing.

Flooding hits Pattaya City

Heavy rains cause floods but also replenish reservoirs

Narisa Nitikarn

Heavy rainstorms hit Pattaya last week causing floods all
over the city. It rained heavily all Tuesday night and all day Wednesday.
The thunder showers were the result of a storm coming from the south of
China down to Thailand over Ubon Ratchathani and nearby provinces,
continuing on to the central, eastern and upper southern regions.

Mayor
Niran takes command of relief efforts.

Flooding was reported in many sections of the city
including the Naklua canal, Soi Bo Bay, Soi Bua Khao, Rong Mai Keet area,
Central and South Pattaya.

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn inspected homes that had
up to 30cm of rainwater in them and ordered officials to arrange a large
pump to be used to help drain away the water. He told reporters that are
many low-lying areas in Pattaya and that they were always flooded during
heavy rains. He also said that there was not much that could be done to
solve the problem.

A newly built 300,000 baht bridge over the overflowing
Naklua canal was damaged and left unusable after the heavy rains.

The beaches of Pattaya and Jomtien were hit by strong
winds and high waves, which lashed up onto the shores and roads strewing
garbage all over the beach area and causing traffic jams.

On the bright side the water reservoir was replenished by about 600,000
cubic meters of water.

A most
frightening scene as strong waves lash onto Jomtien beach.

Mabprachan
reservoir looked a lot healthier than a few weeks ago.

Only 3% to go,
as underground cable installation finds new route

Narisa Nitikarn

Installation of underground electricity cables is 97
percent complete but a change of plans is causing a delay to the final
completion of the project.

Pattaya councilor Banlue Kulawanit chaired a meeting of
the public works and public utilities committees at city hall on September
9, with representatives of the public works department and the electricity,
waterworks and telecommunications authorities present.

Banlue said he wanted to know about the progress made on
the project, as there had been many complaints from tourists and the
uncompleted works were making Beach Road unsightly.

Amnouy
Na-ek, representing the director of the construction division, said that
underground cable installation work was 97 percent complete. The remaining 3
percent was being delayed as they had encountered a water pipe obstruction.
The water authorities have been contacted but said they couldn’t move the
pipes.

The problem is being resolved by finding new routing for the cables, he
said, but the installation plans have had to be changed as a result.